The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) delegation has arrived at the Cannes Film Festival with plans to showcase Indonesia‘s burgeoning creative industries on the global stage.

As JAFF prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, its industry platform JAFF Market is leveraging the festival to highlight multiple Indonesian projects and forge international partnerships.

Leading the Indonesian contingent is “Pangku,” the directorial debut from celebrated actor Reza Rahadian. The coming-of-age drama, set against Indonesia’s 1998 economic crisis, was first unveiled at JAFF Future Project 2024 where it secured the White Light Post-Production Award. The film will screen in the ‘HAF Goes to Cannes’ program at Marché du Film.

Three original IP projects showcased at JAFF Content Market 2024 will be featured at Marché du Film’s Spotlight Asia – Asian IP Adaptation program. These include “Locust” from indie publisher Kosmik (founded by Marvel and DC comics artist Sunny Gho), “Bandits of Batavia” by internationally recognized artist Bryan Valenza and his studio Beyondtopia, and “Jitu” from Caravan Studio, led by illustrator Chris Lie, whose team has worked with entertainment giants like Sony, Konami and Marvel Comics.

“Cannes offers us an opportunity to share the energy and opportunities of the Indonesian film industry’s growth unfolding in Indonesia. It’s especially meaningful to see several of our JAFF Market-selected films and IP projects, including ‘Pangku,’ ‘Locust,’ ‘Bandits of Batavia,’ and ‘Jitu,’ now stepping onto the global stage at Cannes,” said Ifa Isfansyah, festival director of JAFF and president commissioner of JAFF Market.

JAFF Market is also cementing international relationships through key partnership events. A matchmaking reception with the Netherlands Film Fund will take place May 16 at the SEE NL pavilion, building on the co-production treaty signed between Indonesia and the Netherlands last year. Adelaide Film Festival will host an exchange session with Australian filmmakers on May 18, and JAFF Market is partnering with Indonesian powerhouses Visinema and Jagartha for networking events connecting them with international industry figures.

“The upcoming 2025 JAFF Market is a major milestone — not only does JAFF celebrate two decades of championing Asian cinema, but JAFF Market is back with even more ambition, activating the entire ecosystem and building a collaborative platform where local and international filmmakers, producers, and industry players can meet and set the foundation for future co-productions and partnerships,” said Linda Gozali, JAFF market director.

Indonesia’s film sector has demonstrated impressive growth, achieving over 80 million admissions and maintaining 65% local box office market share in 2024 alone. As JAFF celebrates its 20th anniversary, the second edition of JAFF Market will take place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, with the full JAFF festival running from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, in Yogyakarta, aiming to foster global collaboration and promote Southeast Asia’s next generation of storytellers.